Skip to main content




Windows is amazing because it will throw up annoying errors from time to time. As an example, today I was deleting a folder in another location and all of a sudden I get an error saying "You need SYSTEM permission to make changes to this folder.“And I was like wow windows, you are amazing for suddenly giving me an error when removing or copying a folder.

folder-access-denied-5277145

So it simply requires admin permissions to move or delete a folder, but wait a minute, it wasn't the admin account that created the folder in the first place, so why do I need the admin permission on an admin account? That is a good question and the explanation is because sometimes the ownership of the folder is locked with another user account or with SYSTEM and this is why no one can make changes to that folder, including the administrator. The answer for this is pretty simple, basically take ownership of the folder and you're good to go.

You will quickly notice that you cannot delete or modify system files, even as an administrator, and this is because Windows system files belong to the TrustedInstaller service by default, and Windows File Protection will prevent them from being overwritten. You will find a «Access Denied Error. «

You have to take ownership of a file or folder that you access denied error to allow you to give you full control so that you can delete or modify this item. When it does this, it overrides the security permissions to enter. So, without giving up time, let's see how Fix You need SYSTEM permission to make changes to this folder error with the help of the tutorial listed below.

Fix You need SYSTEM permission to make changes to this folder error

Method 1: take ownership through the log file

1. First, download the log file from here.

take-ownership-by-registry-file-3871962

2. It enables you to change file ownership and access rights with one click.

3. Install the 'InstallTakeOwnership', select the file or folder and right-click on the' Take Ownership 'button.

right-click-take-ownership-3613004

4. After getting full access to the desired file or folder, you can even restore the default permissions it had. Click on the "Restore the property"To restore it.

5. And you can clear the Property option from your context menu by clicking on "RemoveTakeOwnership.«

remove-take-ownership-from-registry-9332052

Method 2: take over ownership manually

Check This To Take Ownership Manually: How To Fix Destination Folder Access Denied Error

Method 3: test Unlocker

Unlocker is a free program that does a great job of telling you which programs or processes are currently locking the folder: Unlocker

1. The Unlocker installation will add an option to the right-click context menu. Go to the folder, then right click and choose Unlocker.

unlocker-in-right-click-context-menu-7509838

2. Now it will give you a list of processes or programs that have locks on the folder.

unlocker-option-locking-handle-4265442

3. There may be many processes or programs in the list, so you can kill processes, unlock or unlock all.

4. Once you click Unlock all, your folder must be unlocked and you can delete or modify it.

delete-folder-after-using-unlocker-7998820

This will definitely help you. Fix You need SYSTEM permission to make changes to this folder error, but if you're still stuck, go ahead.

Method 4: use MoveOnBoot

If none of the above methods work, you can try deleting the files before Windows fully starts. In fact, this can be done using a program called MoveOnBoot. You just have to install MoveOnBoot, tell it which files or folders you want to delete that you can't delete, and then restart the computer.

use-moveonboot-to-delete-file-4129513

It may also be of interest to you:

That's it, you have successfully learned how Fix You need SYSTEM permission to make changes to this folder. But if you still have any doubts regarding this post, feel free to ask them in the comments.

R Marketing Digital